Work on the Canal, one of Sweden's biggest ever engineering projectcts, began 1810.
22 years and 7 million manhours later, the 190 km waterway from
Baltic Sea to Lake Vänern was opened.

Old freight carry on the canal.

Motala harbour

Göta Canal is one of Sweden's best known Old times
Göta Canal is one of Sweden's best known tourist attraction.

Not to be missed is the fascinating activity at the locks at
Borenshult where every season no fewer than 6000 boats
and passengers are lifted a total of 15 metres.

Old Canal Ferry Motala to Motala Verkstad

The old factory Motala Werkstad and the dockside

Ferry over the canal to the old factory Motala Verkstad.

Strömbron the bridge ower the river Motala Ström.
If you go over the bridge you will come to Göta Kanal.

As Sweden's own national monument, The Göta Canal offers a fascinating journey through the history of Sweden. The Göta canal was built in a poor country populated mostlyby peasants and suffering badly from the effects of war and internal power struggles. Nevertless, despite the country's poverty,there emerged a man who proved able almost to move mountains: Baltzar von Platen. He had to face many confrontations with the sceptical Swedish Parliament before the Göta Canal was finally completed.

Sweden countryside is in fact one of Europe's finest. For those who appreciate the beauty of Swedish scenery, the Göta Canal is a unique experience.

By passenger ships as Diana or travelling in your own, or rent a boat.The best things in boating life are free. Although Swedes tend to take the beauty of nature for granted, visitors from abroad are often surprised.

Motala Verkstad

Ms Skärgården

As von Platen had intended, Motala developed into town. An engineering works, Motala Werkstad, was established here to serve the Göta Canal and was considered the cradle of Swedish industry. We visit the old lock keeper's cottage and the Canal Museum in the Head Office of the Göta Canal Company, which owns and operates the canal. Here, the history of the canal is brought to life with a slide show and other displays. A walk along the canal past von Platen's grave is recommended. In 1832 when the Canal was finally completed, much credit for the project goes to the British engineers and labourers who were hired in, and the 58 000 billeted soldiers and craftsmen who built the canal by hand.

TOUR THE GÖTA CANAL ANY WAY YOU WANTBy passenger ships as Diana or travelling in your own, or rent a boat.The best things in boating life are free. Although Swedes tend to take the beauty of nature for granted, visitors from abroad are often surprised. Sweden countryside is in fact one of Europe's finest. For those who appreciate the beauty of Swedish scenery, the Göta Canal is a unique experience.

The Swedish nobelwinner Verner von Heidenstam, who lived near the lake not far from the canal, was fascinated by the area.In praise of the scenery around Lake Vättern, he wrote "Where does the wind cares the fields with the same murmur as at home?"
Heidenstams ownn home,Övralid, is well worth a visit, the mansion is in the northern part of Lake Vättern, with a nice panorama over one of Sweden's clearest and deepest lake.

Ms Venus

FASCINATING VARIETY
With its ever changing scenery and pleasant harbours, the canal offers more variety than an ordinary boating holiday. Naturally, it's also possible to stop in the lakes along the way. It makes no difference whether there's a light breeze or a blustering gale. The journey can be an almost overwhelming experience with many new friends and experiences, but the waters of the canal are always peaceful.

You can take a trip on the canal from Motala Harbour and over the Lake Boren to Borensberg